Tagged: NYFW

My craving for more of New York Fashion Week didn’t stop at The Nolcha Shows. Shortly after announcing my Instagram and Twitter takeover for the emerging womenswear designer Minan Wong, I received an invitation from another up and coming New York City-based fashion designer, Iyala Anne of the label Ane Amour. I immediately shifted some meetings in my schedule so that I could attend the brand’s NYFW debut at AMCONYC, another show exclusively for emerging and independent designers.

The day was finally here – the last day of NYFW and the day of Ane Amour’s first show. I arrived in the media lounge at Studio 450 in Chelsea. I took a lap around the space, checking out the photo booth and coffee bar and snapping a few pictures and videos of the pre-show excitement. As I was exploring the area, I was able to sneak a peek at the crew rushing to set up the runway. The space was absolutely breathtaking – crisp, clean, and white with two walls of windows letting the natural light pour in. I could already tell the ambiance was going to be perfect for a fashion show.

I hung around the check-in so I could be one of the first to enter. When the time came, I was directed to the press desk and escorted to a seat on the front row. Here, an official Ane Amour gift bag awaited me, filled with little goodies from sponsors, like fruit snacks from Go Organically, a set of false lashes from Make-Up Pro, and a yummy ginger and green tea drink from Just Chill. I continued to take in the buzz of the room with my camera as more and more people began to take their seats and the press pit began to fill up.

The hum of the pre-show chatter began to quiet as the pre-show music began to fade. A new track started to play as the doors opened, and the first look walked onto the runway. As the show progressed, I started to soak in the designer’s signature style. Everything about the Ane Amour FW16 collection is powerfully feminine – the fabrics, the colors, the patterns, and the silhouettes.

After the final walk, I lingered around the space and watched on as Iyala engaged in her post-show interviews. As things began to die down, I found a quick moment to sneak in and congratulate her on her debut at NYFW. It was such an amazing production from beginning to end and a beautiful fall/winter collection. I left reeling with excitement from the energy of the experience, then the reality set in: my first NYFW was officially over, and I’ll have to wait until the fall to get my fix again.

Iyala Anne is a NYC native and multimedia artist. In addition to designing women’s apparel, she teaches yoga, practices ballet, and writes and records music. Stay tuned for the release of her first album this year! To learn more about her label Ane Amour, check out her website and follow along with her story on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

In the past several years, platforms like social media, live streams, and blogs have allowed us to catch a glimpse into the illustrious world of New York Fashion Week. Through a tiny window on the Internet, we’ve been able to observe the fashion elite in their natural habitat, prepping models, presenting their works of art, and posing for photographers. Twice a year, I would glue myself to my computer and phone, watching another season and another set of collections unfold on my screens. This taste of NYFW wasn’t enough. It only made me hungrier to experience the fashion phenomena myself.

This week I finally had the opportunity to realize my NYFW dreams. I was tapped by the emerging womenswear designer Mimi Wong to cover the debut of her Fall/Winter 2016 collection at Nolcha, a set of shows exclusively for independent fashion designers. The minute I stepped into the lobby, I was overwhelmed by the energy. Mimi came to meet me and whisked me backstage. I acquainted myself with the area and got to work, snapping photos and video and posting them out to the loyal followers of her label, Minan Wong. For an instant I allowed myself to relish in the fact that I’d come full circle – I was the girl reporting live and sharing the experience out to the world on social media. Then I jumped back into the moment, trying to capture every inch of the excitement – the press jumping from label to label, the designers prepping their lineups, the models in hair and makeup.

Eventually I left the backstage area and made my way out to the runway. I found my seat on the second row and settled in before the show began. Other patrons were finding their places and chattering about the collections they were about to see. Flashes came from the end of the runway like bolts of lightning as the photographers took test shots. As the lights began to dim, the conversations dissipated. Music started playing, and the first look stepped out onto the catwalk. Four labels – Cute Like Mad, Virtruvius, Planet Zero Motorsports, and Fine Art of Fashion – displayed their Fall/Winter 2016 collections before Minan Wong closed the show with her latest line of vibrant, youthful, and feminine pieces using eco-friendly fibers and sustainable materials.

If you’ve ever watched a fashion show, you know the actual show is over in the blink of an eye. The lights went up and floods of people rushed out of their seats, but my work wasn’t done yet. I met Mimi again to follow along with her post-show interviews, taking snapshots and soaking up every moment I could. An hour or two later we wrapped up, said our goodbyes, and parted ways. As I stepped out onto the streets of Chelsea, I was on a high, but by the time I got back to my Upper East Side home office the buzz had dissipated. This taste of NYFW wasn’t enough. It only made me hungrier to experience the fashion phenomena again.

For a complete behind the scenes look at my NYFW coverage from Nolcha, head to Instagram and Twitter, and follow @MinanWong!

Happy New Year! As if you needed another reason to be pumped this January, I’ve got 5 of them: 5 things to look forward to in 2015! Cheers!

1. Erica Bryan’s NEW Video + First Show of the Year

Yesterday my girl Erica Bryan released a brand NEW music video, a cover of Bad Suns’ Cardiac Arrest like you’ve never heard it before. Start the New Year with NEW music! Watch the latest video from Erica Bryan on her YouTube channel now! AND catch Erica in Atlanta later this month for her first show of 2015. She’ll be opening for Old Dominion at Smith’s Olde Bar on January 21, plus she’s got something special in store for the first ten to arrive – FREE beer anyone?

2. Laurel Hill Hair Accessories

I’m absolutely obsessed with the jewelry of Athens-born, California-based designer Laurel Hill. I cannot wait til she releases her 2015 collection, which includes a NEW line of hair accessories! Stay tuned to her website and Facebook page this month for more details!

3. GIRLS, HBO

It goes without saying I marked my calendar months ago when they set the official premiere date of HBO’s GIRLS Season 4. I cannot wait to see what my fellow writer Lena Dunham has worked up for this season’s script!

4. Blog Conferences

This one is for all my bloggers out there. Fellow blogger Hillary Dixon of Style in a Small Town was awesome enough to share this comprehensive blog conference directory for 2015. I’m paying it forward and passing it along to all of you! No matter where you live… whether you’re a veteran blogger or just entertaining the idea of starting a blog in the New Year… this list is worth checking out!

5. NYFW F/W 2015

Last but certainly not least, NYFW F/W 2015. I’m always in eager anticipation of fashion week and the amazing energy it brings to the fashion community. However, this year I can’t even put into words how ecstatic I am to have the thrill of experiencing fashion week while living in New York City. I have no idea what type of opportunities I may or may not have to get involved come February, but the simple notion of being in the city and buzzing off the NYFW energy will be enough for me!

Rebecca Minkoff is an American fashion designer and industry leader in accessible luxury apparel and accessories. She is best known for her iconic handbags that are subtly edgy yet timeless. The designer is also an inspiration to all girls who aspire to work in the fashion industry. Minkoff lived out her own version of the American dream at the young age of 18 when she moved to New York City to pursue fashion design. Now, she leads a global lifestyle brand and is an active member of the Council of Fashion Designers of America. Minkoff’s Fall 2014 collection stays true to her brand by being accessible and inspirational to women with all styles from all walks of life. There is notably an infusion of menswear in the collection, however Minkoff made the looks feminine with pops of color and accessories. Metallic tops and bottoms and trench coats of varying silhouettes were other stand outs from the show.

NICOLE MILLER

Nicole Miller is an American fashion designer known for creating modern, refined, and feminine apparel. Miller is highly trained in fabric manipulation and classical techniques of couture, both of which are signatures of her designs. Crafting stunning all-black looks has also become part of Miller’s signature style, and the black looks from her Fall 2014 collection are some of my personal favorites. What girl doesn’t love a fabulous black dress or perfectly paired black skirt and top? There are three other looks that were standouts from Nicole Miller’s Fall 2014 show: the leather studded mini skirt, the knee length plum fur vest, and the peacock prints (the peacock dress pictured above is my personal favorite).

REMEMBER! I’ll be watching many of the shows streaming LIVE on the Mercedes Benz site and LIVE Tweeting during the shows. After the show ends, I’ll post a clip of the final walk on my Instagram, so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Instagram @cmcross (or in the right sidebar!) for all things NYFW.

It’s officially New Years Eve! If you’re still looking for a last minute cocktail, party snack, or way to complete your look, please see my tips for NYE. But, if you’re all ready for the big night, I’ve got some more reasons to celebrate the New Year! Here are five things to look forward to in 2014!